One Week in Guatemala

Fly into Guatemala City and make your way to Antigua—about a 90-minute drive—via Uber, rental car, taxi, or shuttle (GuateGo and Roadrunner are reputable companies).

You can get cash out here or in town—note that exchange rates are typically higher at the airport.

Enjoy your day or evening in Antigua by checking out one of the many restaurants. There are a lot of great options with nice views of the city streets or rooftops with mountain views.

Friendly reminder that Antigua is at a little over 5,000 feet above sea level, similar to Denver, Colorado. Be sure to drink a lot of water!

Start your day in Antigua at one of the great coffee shops in town (Union Cafe, 12 Onzas, Cafe El Portal, or Fat Cat Coffee House). After sipping a dirty chai and devouring a pastry, join a walking tour of the city to learn more about the culture. Some good options for walking tours are with GuruWalk and Viator.

Reward yourself with a beverage at a brewery (Antigua Brewing Company) or cocktail bar (Rooftop Antigua). Stroll around the city and be sure to check out the Santa Cataline Arch. If you're looking for souvenirs for yourself or friends, check out the artisan market for lots of local goods.

If you're doing the Volcan Acetenango hike, be sure to pack your bag for the overnight hike, stock up on snacks, drink a ton of water, and relax tonight. If you have any questions about the hike, visit the office of your tour group to get prepared.

If you're opting out of the hike, relax in Antigua some more, visit Hobbitenango, do an ATV tour in Antigua, or visit Volcan Pacaya.

There is an endless list of tour companies that can take you on the Volcan Acetenango hike, and while I did the tour with Wicho & Charlies, I've also heard great things about Ox Expeditions and Magic Travel.

We met at the tour group's office, heard about the itinerary, stocked up on warm clothes, and filled our water bottles. Antigua is at about 5,000 feet above sea level, and you start the hike at about 8,000 feet, sleep at 12,000 feet, and hike to 13,000 feet—needless to say, the temperature will drop substantially. Bring waterproof clothing, especially if going during rainy season (May to November). Also, bring warm clothing—we're talking jackets, pants, socks, hats, gloves. You can rent all of this with the tour guide, along with any gear you need, if you don't want to fit it in your luggage.

Don't let that scare you, because the hike is absolutely worth it and unlike any other hike I've done. You gain about 4,000 feet of elevation on the main hike, which can be very tough for non-avid hikers. It took our group of about 12 about six to seven hours, though a faster group would take four to five hours. There are two optional add-ons to the hike—one over to Volcan Fuego that is about four hours round trip (which actively erupts about every 15 to 20 minutes), and a sunrise one to the summit of Volcan Acentenango (the mountain you hike and where your base camp is) that is about two hours. Our group only did the sunrise hike in the morning. We left at 4:30 am to make it in time for the sunrise, and it was about 1,000 feet and honestly tougher than the day before, probably due to the exhaustion from the previous day.

The tour groups provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the first day, as well as breakfast the next day. I'd recommend bringing high-protein snacks to ensure you have enough energy. You're also required to carry your own water, including enough water to cook with, which adds substantial weight to your pack. There are optional porters who can carry your bag on the hike, which I opted for, and it was a great decision. You still have to carry your bag on the descent the next day, but that was a piece of cake compared to the climb.

The hike should end around 10 am, and it should take an hour or two to get back to Antigua. Some tour groups offer transportation to Lake Atitlán from here, but most go back to Antigua.

If returning to Antigua, give yourself a few hours to shower, change, and grab a meal. Afterwards, catch a shuttle to Lake Atitlán, which should take around four hours (even though Google Maps says two and a half).

Depending on where you stay in Lake Atitlán, you may need to take a water taxi to your accommodations from where the shuttle drops you off. The water taxis come often, and cost 25 quetzales, so be sure to have cash on you.

After the hike, you deserve a relaxing day at the lake! Walk around the beautiful streets of the lakeside towns, kayak on the lake, take the water taxis around to the different villages, have some coffee, and get a beverage at a scenic oceanfront restaurant.

Enjoy some recommended coffee shops (Cafe Loco Coffee Roasters, Cafe San Juan, Cafe Panorama) and a spot in San Marcos (Eagle's Nest) to take a yoga class. The San Marcos neighborhood is well known for yoga training, so it's an affordable way to take a class and support the arts!

Some of the different neighborhoods of Lake Atitlán are described below. If you have the time and energy, it's worth visiting all of them! The water taxi comes often, and is the fastest way to get around.

San Juan

In my opinion, this is the most picturesque town on the lake. Known as the artsy part of the lake, it shows! There are colorful decorations everywhere, especially the main street of the town. Grab a piece of banana bread at Cafe San Juan and watch the tuk tuks drive up and down the steep roads.

San Pedro

With a reputation as the backpacker town, this is where I'd recommend staying as a solo traveler if you want to meet people. There are a lot of hostels, bars, restaurants, and shops in this part of the lake. If you're interested in taking Spanish lessons (which are in abundance here), this is most likely where you'll take them.

San Marcos

The spiritual and hippie town of the lake, and the place to go if you want to take a yoga class or heal your chakra. Lots of tarot card readings and reiki massages are advertised along the streets of this town, and it has a very relaxing atmosphere. There's cliff jumping near the dock, and it's a popular place to swim.

Panajachel

This is the main hub of Lake Atitlán, and it's where my shuttles picked me up and dropped me off. It's a more bustling town than its neighbors, and still offers good vibes, delicious restaurants, and beautiful views. There's a large expat community here, and anything you could need from a town.

Santiago Atitlán

A traditional Mayan town that doesn't see many tourists, and is famous for its church and market.

Santa Cruz

Known for being very steep, this town is on the quieter side and doesn't see very many tourists. It's a great place to have a relaxing afternoon kayaking on the lake.

Jaibalito

This is where the famous Casa Del Mundo hotel is. It's a sleepier town, with more focus on relaxation and nature.

The drive from Lake Atitlán to Guatemala City should be around four hours, but it took our shuttle closer to six hours, so give yourself plenty of time to get there, especially if trying to catch a flight. I'd recommend a late afternoon shuttle from Lake Atitlán, spending the night in Guatemala City, and catching the early flight home.